Pitcher with a flexible inner container forming the spout

ABSTRACT

A &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;spoutless&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; pitcher, that is, a pitcher having no projecting spout and yet which provides in effect a projecting pouring spout by the co-operation of a flexible liquid container and a notch formed in a rigid outer shell. A rearward slant of the outer shell, and vertical rib members on its interior, retard ice from moving into the spout zone so formed. These and other features provide a pitcher means particularly desirable for an extremely sanitary drinking supply for individual use, as for hospital patients.

United States Patent Lorren [54] PITCHER WITH A FLEXIBLE INNER CONTAINER FORMING THE SPOUT [72] Inventor: Robert E. Lorren, 489 S. Perue Street,

Cicero, Ind. 46034 [22] Filed: Feb. 26, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 14,271

[52] US. Cl ..222/183, 222/564, 222/566 [51] Int. Cl ..B67d 5/06 [58] Field of Search ..222/183, 564, 566, 105, 572,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1959 Randall ..222/183 5/1959 Marcus ..222/547X [4 1 July 11,1972

3,254,812 6/1966 Abbott ..222/547x 2,805,561 9/1957 Emmertetal. ..222/547x Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-Francis J Bartuska Attorney-Robert A. Spray ABS'I RACT A spoutless" pitcher, that is, a pitcher having no projecting spout and yet which provides in effect a projecting pouring spout by the co-operation of a flexible liquid container and a notch formed in a rigid outer shell. A rearward slant of the outer shell, and vertical rib members on its interior, retard ice from moving into the spout zone so formed. These and other features provide a pitcher means particularly desirable for an extremely sanitary drinking supply for individual use, as for hospital patients.

7 Clains, 17 Drawing Figures PKTENTEDJUL 1 1 I972 FIGJ? ROBERT E. LORREN,

ATTORNEY PITCIIER WITH A FLEXIBLE INNER CONTAINER FORMING THE SPOU'I This invention relates to a pitcher construction having novel features providing several advantages.

A primary concept of the invention provides that the pitcher has an inner container which contains the liquid, and may be disposable; and the inner container is supported by a relatively rigid outer shell.

A further important concept is that the outer shell has no projecting pouring spout, but, rather, has a downwardly extending recess or notch which supports a portion of the flexible inner container, and provides that the adjacent portion. of the inner container does itself provide in effect a projecting pouring spot.

The concepts provide an extremely sanitary water supply for individual use, for the inner container may be a sterilized bag which is disposable after a single use; and none of the liquid to be poured need ever touch the outer shell.

These and other features of economy, sanitariness, and utility will be more apparent from the following more detailed description of embodiments which illustrate the inventive concepts, taken in conjunction with the accompanying somewhat schematic and diagrammatical drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of an inner container of the pitcher means, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of an outer shell of the said pitcher means;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the inner container shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a pictorial detail illustration, in enlarged scale, of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, with the inner container in its assembled location within the outer shell, and with the overall pitcher means being tipped during the beginning of a pouring operation;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of an outer shell member of a pitcher means according to a second embodiment, a portion of an inner container being visible adjacent a notch provided in the shell member;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the shell member shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a somewhat enlarged vertical cross-sectional view, taken generally as indicated by section-line 7-7 of FIG. 6, illustrating interior details;

FIG. 8 is a pictorial detail illustration, in enlarged scale, of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6; and, similarly to FIG. 4, FIG. 8 is a view with the inner container assembled into the outer shell member, and with the overall pitcher means being shown in a tipped position as during the beginning of a pouring operation;

FIG. 9 is an under-side view of a cover member for the embodiment of the pitcher means shown in FIGS. 5 and 6;

FIG. 10 is an elevational view of the cover shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an elevational view of a shell member of another embodiment of the present invention, a portion of the inner container being visible through the open notch of the shell member;

FIG. 12 is a top view of the shell member shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a somewhat enlarged vertical cross-sectional view, taken generally as shown by section-line 13-13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is an elevational view of the pitcher means shown in FIG. 1 l and 12, with portions shown as broken away and with a cap shown mounted on the shell member;

FIG. 15 is an end elevational view of the pitcher means, including the cap shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 1, but illustrating an interior container as used with the embodiments of the invention illustrated in FIG. 5 through 15;

FIG. 17 is a top view of the inner container as shown in FIG. 16.

As shown in the drawings, in a first embodiment the inventive concepts provide a container 20, generally of a two-piece construction as now described. The container contents, which would be the liquid and ice as desired, are contained in an inner container 22, which is shown of flexible material such as polyethylene formed into a bag, and having its bottom edge and two side edges closed and liquid-tight. A top corner of the bag 22 is shown as cut away, as at 24, and a length of the top of the bag is shown as also cut away, as at 26. Between the portions 24 and 26, the top edge of the bag is sealed, as at 28. The bag walls are indicated by the reference numeral 29.

The cut 26 permits the filling of the bag 22; and, if desired, it could be resealed for preserving higher sterility, particularly in a usage in which the comer cut 24 would not be made until the occasion to use the container.

The other main component of this first embodiment of the invention is shown as an outer shell 30, formed to have a generally oval-shape when viewed from above. A recess or notch 32 is shown as extending downwardly from the upper end of the shell 30, the notch being generally of a V-shape.

In use, the inner bag or container 22 is assembled into the outer shell 30; and, when the assembled container is tipped (as illustrated in FIG. 4) to initiate the pouring operation, the

comer 24 of the inner bag 22, as supported by the walls of the notch 32, extends outwardly of that notch 32, and is supported thereby, and the bag-comer 24 provides in effect a projecting pouring spout for the container.

It will be noted that the shell 30 is provided with a rearward slant (FIG. 2), and this provides somewhat of a pocket which tends to catch and retain ice cubes or chunks in the relatively lower portion of the assembly, rather than clogging up the pouring zone adjacent the bag-notch 24, for the flexible bag 22 partakes of the general shape of the rigid shell member 30.

FIG. 5 illustrates an outer shell member 34, which, as shown, may be and desirably is generally the same as the shell member 30 described above, except that the shell member 34 of FIG. 5 is provided interiorly with a pair of generally vertical ribs 36, which are located on the inner wall of the shell member 34 along a portion thereof adjacent the notch 38 thereof, the notch 38 being generally similar to the notch 32 described above.

As an inner member co-operating with the outer shell member 34, a flexible bag 40 (FIG. 16) is shown. The bag 40 is of flexible material, and generally is formed according to the formation described above for the bag 22 of the first embodiment, except that the bag 40 is open along its entire top portion 42.

In using a pitcher means according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the inner bag 40 (with its contents of liquid and iceas desired) is inserted into the hollow interior of the outer shell member 34. Then, as is illustrated by the pictorial view shown as FIG. 8, the notch 38 of the outer shell member 34 supports the adjacent corner portion of the inner bag 40; and the portion 44 of the bag 40, which extends outwardly of the notch 38, provides in effect a projecting pouring spout for the container.

One of the advantages of the ribs 36 is (as illustrated in FIG. 8) that they provide a means for holding the adjacent portions of the walls of the inner bag 40 relatively closely together, so as to block or retard ice from flowing into the pouring zone adjacent the notch 38.

A cover 46 is shown on FIGS. 9 and 10; and, as there indicated, the cover 46 is provided on its under-side with lugs or protrusions 48. These lugs 48 are adapted to releasably retain the cover 46 assembled onto the outer shell 34, as follows: The ribs 36 are shown as provided with notches 50 facing their upper ends, and two of the lugs 48 are releasably held between a portion of the rib notch 50 and the adjacent wall of shell 34. The other lug 48 is positioned on the cover 46 in such a manner that, when the cover is assembled with the other lugs 48 in the said co-operation with the notches 50 of ribs 46, this third lug 48 engages a portion of the shell member wall. A handle 52 is shown for grasping the cover 46.

A third embodiment of the pitcher means is illustrated in FIG. 11. As there shown, an outer shell member 54 may be generally similar to the shell member 34 described above, but the shell 54 has ribs 56 which extend downwardly only a part of the way from the upper end of the shell wall. Moreover, the

ribs 56 are not provided with a notch, as are the notches 50; and the retaining of the cover 48 (FIGS. 14 and 15) of this embodiment is by the frictional grip of the cover sidewalls 60 against the exterior surface of the shell 54.

As shown in FIG. 15, a portion of the downwardly extending peripheral wall 60 of the cover 58 is recessed or cut away, as at 62, in registry with the location of the notch 64 of this embodiment. This provides that the portion 44 of the inner bag 40 may extend outwardly of the notch 64, providing in effect the projecting pouring spout as described above, even though the peripheral walls 60 of the closure cap or cover 58 extend downwardly past the upper edge 42 of the inner bag 40. A handle 68 is shown for grasping the cover 58.

It is thus seen that a pitcher means according to the inventive concepts provides advantages of construction and use:

1. The notch or cut-out provided in the outer shell provides a support which in effect provides that an adjacent and nonprojecting portion of the inner bag forms a projecting spout, facilitating the pouring of liquid from the pitcher. Thus the inner bag itself becomes the spout, projecting from the container, without the expense of a pre-formed projecting pouring spout, and without the extra storage and packaging space for a rigidly projecting spout, and without breakage or cleaning disadvantages of a rigid spout. Moreover, it provides a pouring spout which does not require any of the liquid to touch the spout. This latter aspect yields particular benefit of sanitary dispensing, in that the liquid contents of the inner bag are not exposed to any spout surface except the effective spout provided by that inner bag itself, even though that inner bag has no pro-formed projecting spout. In other words, even though neither the outer shell nor the inner bag has any projecting spout member, they co-operate with one another to provide in effect just that, that is, a projecting formed spout for convenience of pouring.

2. High sterility is achieved. One aspect of this has just been mentioned, that is, the provision of economical means by which a projecting spout is effectively provided without any need of the container contents touching anything except the disposable inner bag. Another sterility aspect is that the twopiece construction permits the relatively economical provision of liquid in a container which is disposable. Even further, the sterility may be achieved by delivering the liquid-containing bag as a sealed unit, to be opened to provide either of the embodiments herein only at the time it is inserted into the supporting shell. Covers, preferably according to either of the embodiments, may be provided for enhancing the sterility characteristics; and in one embodiment the cover (at recess 62) itself provides a portion of the container-notch through which the inner bag protrudes to form the effective pouring spout protrusion, and enables the inner liner or bag to have clearance (FIG. 15) above the pouring-spout portion or zone ofthe inner bag.

3. The clogging of the spout zone by ice is minimized by the rib-members 36,56 which are provided on the interior wall of the outer casing shells of the second and third embodiments; and these ribs, and the uncut bag-portion 28 of the first embodiment, block or retard ice from flowing through the pouring spout. The ribs also provide the further advantages of stiffening and reinforcing the casing sidewalls, and as illustrated in F IG. 8 assist the outer shell notch in helping to cause the inner bags walls to form into a pouring spout; and in one embodiment (FIGS. 6-8) the ribs 36 also provide economical means (notches 50) for co-operating with the cover-lugs 48 for maintaining the container cover 46 assembled onto the outer shell.

4. The rearward slant of the outer casing 30, 34, 54 helps block ice in a lower pocket of the assembly, the flexibility of the inner liner or bag causing it (when loaded with a quantity of liquid and/or ice) to assume generally the contour or shape of the relatively rigid outer shell.

Accordingly, it will thus be seen from the foregoing description of the invention according to these illustrative embodiments, considered with the accompanying drawings, that the present invention provides a new and useful pitcher means, having desired advantages and characteristics, and accomplishing its intended objects, including those'hereinbefore pointed out and others which are inherent in the invention.

it will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention; accordingly, the invention is not to be considered limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown.

What is claimed is:

1. A pitcher means, comprising:

a relatively rigid outer shell;

a relatively flexible inner container for containing the liquid to be dispensed by the pitcher means;

the outer shell being provided with a supporting notch means which does not protrude from the shell but which supports a portion of the inner container when said portion extends into the region of said notch means during a pouring operation, the parts thereby co-operating to provide in effect a sufficiently rigid and outwardly protruding pouring spout for said pitcher means even though the relatively rigid outer shell has no protruding pouring spout;

in a combination in which the interior surface of said outer shell is provided, along a portion thereof adjacent to and extending vertically for a distance below the upper portion of said notch means, with rib means which confine the adjacent portions of said inner container and thereby block or retard the flow of ice chunks into the pouring zone.

2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 in a combination in which the said rib means also extend substantially below said upper portion and thereby also provide extra rigidity of said outer shell.

3. A pitcher means, comprising:

a relatively rigid outer shell;

a relatively flexible inner container for containing the liquid to be dispensed by the pitcher means;

the outer shell being provided with a supporting notch means which does not protrude from the shell but which supports a portion of the inner container when said portion extends into the region of said notch means during a pouring operation, the parts thereby co-operating to provide in effect a sufficiently rigid and outwardly-protruding pouring spout for said pitcher means even though the relatively rigid outer shell has no protruding pouring spout;

in a combination in which a closure cover is provided which operatively covers the said outer shell, the cover having a portion which in the general region of said notch means extends below the upper edge of said shell, but the said cover-portion being provided with a downwardly facing opening in operative registry with said outer shell notch means, the said opening extending from a location at least substantially as high as the uppermost portions of the outer shell adjacent said notch, and thereby permitting the interior container to extend into the region of said notch means in an elevation above the bottom of said cover-portion.

4. A pitcher means having a dispensing opening, in which rib means are provided along the inner walls of the pitcher means adjacent the dispensing opening thereof, which rib means block or retard the flow of ice chunks into the region of the dispensing opening;

in a combination in which the liquid to be dispensed is contained in a relatively flexible inner container, the flexibility of the walls thereof providing that the pressure of the contained liquid causes said walls generally to be configured by the said rib means to provide an inwardly protruding effect of said walls adjacent the dispensing opening, thereby to provide the aforesaid blocking or retarding of ice chunks from moving into the region of the dispensing opening.

5. The invention as set forth in claim 4 in which the rib means although adjacent the dispensing opening are nevertheless spaced therefrom, providing, when the pitcher means is held in a pouring position, a channel operatively below the ice chunks which are blocked by the rib means, the channel permitting the flow of liquid to be relatively unobstructed by the said chunks.

6. A pitcher means having a wall portion in which a dispensing outlet is provided adjacent the upper edge thereof, including a closure cover which operatively covers the said pitcher means; the cover having a portion which in the general region of said dispensing outlet extends below the upper edge of said wall portion, but the said cover-portion being provided with an opening in operative registry with said dispensing outlet, the said opening extending from a location at least substantially 'as high as the uppermost portions of the said dispensing outlet, thereby providing that dispensing of liquid from said pitcher means is through a region within the span of said cover portion which is in the general region of said dispensing outlet;

in a combination in which the liquid to be dispensed is contained in a disposable inner container whose walls extend into the region of said cover portion whose span extends over said dispensing outlet but whose cover-portion opening permits dispensing over the operative top of the said inner container walls.

7. A pitcher means having a dispensing opening, in which rib means are provided along the inner walls of the pitcher means adjacent the dispensing opening thereof, which rib means block or retard the flow of ice chunks into the region of the dispensing opening;

in a combination in which the rib means although adjacent the dispensing opening are nevertheless spaced therefrom, providing, when the pitcher means is held in a pouring position, a channel operatively below the ice chunks which are blocked by the rib means, the channel permitting the flow of liquid to be relatively unobstructed by the said chunks. 

1. A pitcher means, comprising: a relatively rigid outer shell; a relatively flexible inner container for containing the liquid to be dispensed by the pitcher means; the outer shell being provided with a supporting notch means which does not protrude from the shell but which supports a portion of the inner container when said portion extends into the region of said notch means during a pouring operation, the parts thereby co-operating to provide in effect a sufficiently rigid and outwardly protruding pouring spout for said pitcher means even though the relatively rigid outer shell has no protruding pouring spout; in a combination in which the interior surface of said outer shell is provided, along a portion thereof adjacent to and extending vertically for a distance below the upper portion of said notch means, with rib means which confine the adjacent portions of said inner container and thereby block or retard the flow of ice chunks into the pouring zone.
 2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 in a combination in which the said rib means also extend substantially below said upper portion and thereby also provide extra rigidity of said outer shell.
 3. A pitcher means, comprising: a relatively rigid outer shell; a relatively flexible inner container for containing the liquid to be dispensed by the pitcher means; the outer shell being provided with a supporting notch means which does not protrude from the shell but which supports a portion of the inner container when said portion extends into the region of said notch means during a pouring operation, the parts thereby co-operating to provide in effect a sufficiently rigid and outwardly-protruding pouring spout for said pitcher means even though the relatively rigid outer shell has no protruding pouring spout; in a combination in which a closure cover is provided which opeRatively covers the said outer shell, the cover having a portion which in the general region of said notch means extends below the upper edge of said shell, but the said cover-portion being provided with a downwardly facing opening in operative registry with said outer shell notch means, the said opening extending from a location at least substantially as high as the uppermost portions of the outer shell adjacent said notch, and thereby permitting the interior container to extend into the region of said notch means in an elevation above the bottom of said cover-portion.
 4. A pitcher means having a dispensing opening, in which rib means are provided along the inner walls of the pitcher means adjacent the dispensing opening thereof, which rib means block or retard the flow of ice chunks into the region of the dispensing opening; in a combination in which the liquid to be dispensed is contained in a relatively flexible inner container, the flexibility of the walls thereof providing that the pressure of the contained liquid causes said walls generally to be configured by the said rib means to provide an inwardly protruding effect of said walls adjacent the dispensing opening, thereby to provide the aforesaid blocking or retarding of ice chunks from moving into the region of the dispensing opening.
 5. The invention as set forth in claim 4 in which the rib means although adjacent the dispensing opening are nevertheless spaced therefrom, providing, when the pitcher means is held in a pouring position, a channel operatively below the ice chunks which are blocked by the rib means, the channel permitting the flow of liquid to be relatively unobstructed by the said chunks.
 6. A pitcher means having a wall portion in which a dispensing outlet is provided adjacent the upper edge thereof, including a closure cover which operatively covers the said pitcher means; the cover having a portion which in the general region of said dispensing outlet extends below the upper edge of said wall portion, but the said cover-portion being provided with an opening in operative registry with said dispensing outlet, the said opening extending from a location at least substantially as high as the uppermost portions of the said dispensing outlet, thereby providing that dispensing of liquid from said pitcher means is through a region within the span of said cover portion which is in the general region of said dispensing outlet; in a combination in which the liquid to be dispensed is contained in a disposable inner container whose walls extend into the region of said cover portion whose span extends over said dispensing outlet but whose cover-portion opening permits dispensing over the operative top of the said inner container walls.
 6. A pitcher means having a dispensing opening, in which rib means are provided along the inner walls of the pitcher means adjacent the dispensing opening thereof, which rib means block or retard the flow of ice chunks into the region of the dispensing opening; in a combination in which the rib means although adjacent the dispensing opening are nevertheless spaced therefrom, providing, when the pitcher means is held in a pouring position, a channel operatively below the ice chunks which are blocked by the rib means, the channel permitting the flow of liquid to be relatively unobstructed by the said chunks. 